U.S. Coast 3, Chapter 9 26 SEP 2021 ¢ 260 37°N 37° 20'N 75°30'W 12221 12224 NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN NORTH ATLANTIC 12222 Beach Virginia VIRGINIA Cape Charles Cape Cape HenryCape 76°W 12254 LYNNHAVEN BAY LYNNHAVEN Bridge Tunnel Bridge Chesapeake Bay LITTLE CREEK 12255 LAFAYETTE RIVER LAFAYETTE ELIZABETH RIVER CHESAPEAKE BAY BACK RIVER BACK 12245 Norfolk HAMPTON POQUOSON RIVER Portsmouth 12253 Hampton MOBJACK BAY MOBJACK YORK RIVER YORK WESTERN BRANCH 76°30'W JAMES Chart Coverage in Coast Pilot 3—Chapter 9 Online Interactive Chart Catalog has complete chart coverage NOAA’s http://www.charts.noaa.gov/InteractiveCatalog/nrnc.shtml Newport News SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 261 26 Chesapeake Bay Entrance

(10) METEOROLOGICAL TABLE – COASTAL AREA OFF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA Between 36°N to 38°N and 72°W to 76°W YEARS OF WEATHER ELEMENTS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC RECORD Wind > 33 knots ¹ 4.9 5.5 4.7 2.3 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.3 1.1 2.1 3.6 5.0 2.5 Wave Height > 9 feet ¹ 9.2 9.6 8.0 4.7 2.1 1.5 0.9 1.3 2.8 5.5 6.5 9.8 4.9 Visibility < 2 nautical miles ¹ 3.1 4.4 4.8 4.7 5.2 3.6 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.9 Precipitation ¹ 9.3 8.3 6.9 5.5 4.9 4.3 4.2 4.1 4.7 5.6 6.3 7.7 5.9 Temperature > 69° F 1.0 0.9 1.3 4.3 16.1 61.5 96.3 96.9 76.8 25.9 6.6 1.7 33.7 Mean Temperature (°F) 47.6 47.6 50.4 56.2 63.3 71.9 77.6 77.9 73.9 66.1 58.6 51.6 62.3 Temperature < 33° F ¹ 6.2 5.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.8 1.2 Mean RH (%) 76 76 76 78 81 82 82 81 79 76 74 75 78 Overcast or Obscured ¹ 38.3 36.7 33.9 27.9 26.0 22.7 21.0 19.8 20.7 22.7 26.3 34.2 27.3 Mean Cloud Cover (8ths) 5.2 5.1 4.8 4.3 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.2 4.2 4.5 5.1 4.6 Mean SLP (mbs) 1019 1017 1017 1016 1016 1016 1017 1017 1018 1018 1018 1019 1017 Ext. Max. SLP (mbs) 1047 1047 1039 1040 1038 1036 1035 1037 1036 1044 1044 1045 1047 Ext. Min. SLP (mbs) 982 978 978 987 990 991 996 995 993 990 986 986 978 Prevailing Wind Direction N NW N SW S SW SW SW NE N N NW N Thunder and Lightning ¹ 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.0 1.7 1.8 2.7 2.7 1.4 1.0 0.7 0.6 1.3 ¹ Percentage Frequency

(1) This chapter describes the deep-draft southerly 2 to 4 percent of the time from fall through early spring, in entrance to Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean; the bay. Gales can occur from September through March. the waters of Lynnhaven Roads, Lynnhaven Inlet, Little (6) Another problem during this period is poor visibilities. Creek, Hampton Roads, Willoughby Bay, Lafayette River Fog forms most often when warm, moist air moves across and Elizabeth River, including Western, Eastern and the bay’s cold waters from the southeast through south. Southern Branches; and the ports of Hampton, Newport Most of the 30 to 40 dense fog days each year develop News, Norfolk, Berkley, Portsmouth and Chesapeake. from January through April. Dense fog is more common

(2) offshore and should be expected on unusually warm, COLREGS Demarcation Lines humid winter and spring days. Fog over particularly cold (3) The lines established for Chesapeake Bay are waters with winds less than 10 knots may drop visibilities described in 33 CFR 80.510, chapter 2. to near zero. Precipitation, particularly snow, may also hamper visibilities. (4) (7) When temperatures drop below about 28°F (-2.2°C) Weather and winds are blowing at 13 knots or more, there exists a (5) This summary provides climatological information potential for moderate superstructure icing. This potential applicable to the entire Chesapeake Bay. From November exists in the bay from November through March; January through April, Chesapeake Bay, particularly the southern and February are the worst months when the potential portion, is rough sailing. Storms moving up the Atlantic exists about 3 percent of the time. coast generate winds out of the northeast quadrant ahead (8) During March and April, cold fronts often trigger of their centers; speeds often reach 30 to 50 knots. Several fast-moving narrow bands of thunderstorms. Preceding days of strong and gusty northwest winds may follow. the cold front these bands move eastward at 10 to 30 Strong cold fronts from the west can generate 25- to knots generating lightning and gusty winds of gale force. 45-knot gusts over open water. Waves associated with Thunderstorms are also a bay-wide threat during spring strong winds can be rough and bad chop develops when and summer when they develop about 6 to 9 days each these winds oppose strong tidal currents. Northerlies of month. They may develop over land during the afternoon 25 knots or more, over a long fetch of the bay, can easily as warm, humid air is forced aloft by surface heating. build 8- to 10-foot seas in the central portion and 5- to The thunderstorm may precede a cold front. When a 7-foot seas in the south. Seas of 8 feet or more occur about cold front passes during a period of maximum afternoon heating thunderstorms may be severe. In spring and early U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 26 SEP 2021 ¢ 262

(11) METEOROLOGICAL TABLE – COASTAL AREA OFF CHESAPEAKE BAY Between 36°N to 40°N and 76°W to 77°W YEARS OF WEATHER ELEMENTS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC RECORD Wind > 33 knots ¹ 0.4 1.0 1.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 1.2 1.3 1.3 0.8 0.6 Wave Height > 9 feet ¹ 0.8 0.4 0.8 1.0 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.7 0.5 Visibility < 2 nautical miles ¹ 9.1 8.1 5.9 6.9 5.7 3.0 2.1 2.8 4.0 4.4 9.6 11.0 5.9 Precipitation ¹ 9.3 10.9 9.0 7.0 6.2 4.2 5.8 6.6 8.4 6.1 7.6 10.7 7.6 Temperature > 69° F 0.0 0.2 1.9 6.8 30.2 77.4 96.5 93.1 72.4 18.2 3.9 0.4 35.6 Mean Temperature (°F) 41.8 42.9 49.2 57.1 66.9 75.5 79.1 77.9 74.1 64.4 53.9 44.0 61.6 Temperature < 33° F ¹ 17.3 12.7 2.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 9.1 3.2 Mean RH (%) 74 72 72 70 75 75 77 77 76 75 73 73 74 Overcast or Obscured ¹ 33.5 35.2 28.8 26.0 23.4 19.8 20.3 20.9 24.1 22.6 26.3 32.8 25.9 Mean Cloud Cover (8ths) 4.5 4.6 4.2 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.6 4.6 4.4 3.7 4.2 4.6 4.3 Mean SLP (mbs) 1020 1018 1018 1017 1016 1016 1016 1017 1017 1018 1019 1019 1017 Ext. Max. SLP (mbs) 1046 1046 1039 1040 1037 1032 1031 1032 1033 1039 1041 1041 1046 Ext. Min. SLP (mbs) 988 985 987 991 991 994 998 997 994 992 990 987 985 Prevailing Wind Direction N N N N SW SW SW SW NE N N N SW Thunder and Lightning ¹ 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.6 1.0 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.4 ¹ Percentage Frequency

summer they usually develop to the west of the bay and long with a greatest width of 23 miles. The bay is the move toward the northeast at speeds of 25 to 35 knots. approach to Norfolk, Newport News, and many Occasionally thunderstorms will approach from the lesser ports. Deep-draft vessels use the Atlantic entrance, northwest; these are often severe, tend to move very fast, which is about 10 miles wide between Fishermans Island and can pack winds reaching 70 to 90 knots. Severe squall on the north and on the south. Medium-draft lines can also generate tornadoes that may move over the vessels can enter from Delaware Bay on the north via bay developing waterspouts; winds can exceed 200 knots Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, and light-draft vessels in these systems. By midsummer, fronts become weaker can enter from Albemarle Sound on the south via the and less frequent, and thunderstorms are mainly the air Intracoastal Waterway. mass type that move at 10 to 20 knots and usually do not (14) Safety/Security Zones have been established organize into a squall line. Thunderstorms are likely to surrounding vessels carrying certain dangerous cargo occur on 8 to 9 days in July compared to 6 to 7 days in within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. (See 33 August. CFR 165.500, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)

(9) Good weather in late summer and fall is compromised (15) mainly by the threat of a tropical cyclone, particularly North Atlantic Right Whales from mid-August through the first week in October. A (16) Endangered North Atlantic right whales may occur hurricane affects the Chesapeake Bay about once every within 30 miles of the Virginia coasts in the approaches 10 years on the average. Thunderstorms occur on 1 to 3 to the Chesapeake Bay (peak season: November through days per month in September and October and are usually April, although right whales have been sighted in the area associated with increasingly frequent and rigorous cold year round). (See North Atlantic Right Whales, indexed fronts. Fog becomes more of a problem, particularly as such in chapter 3, for more information on right whales north of Annapolis. This is a morning fog that forms on and recommended measures to avoid collisions.) 1 to 4 days per month during September and October over (17) All vessels 65 feet or greater in length overall (LOA) the upper reaches of the bay; it usually lifts by noon. In and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are late summer and autumn waterspouts may be sighted. restricted to speeds of 10 knots or less in a Seasonal These are short lived and less severe than those associated Management Area existing around the entrance to the with thunderstorms; maximum winds climb to about 50 Chesapeake Bay between November 1 and April 30. The knots. They are caused by cooler air overriding a body of area is defined as the waters within a 20-nm radius of warm moist air in association with a cloud build up over 37°00'36.9"N., 75°57'50.5"W. (See 50 CFR 224.105 in the bay; they usually occur in fair weather. chapter 2 for regulations, limitations and exceptions.)

(12) (18) ENCs - US4VA12M, US4VA1AM Mileages Chart - 12221 (19) Many of the distances in this and later Chesapeake Bay chapters are given in nautical miles above the (13) Chesapeake Bay, the largest inland body of water Virginia Capes, or “the Capes,” which is a short way along the Atlantic coast of the United States, is 168 miles SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 263 26

of referring to a line from Cape Charles Light to Cape inland are prominent. A hotel cupola, 3.4 miles south of Henry Light. Cape Henry Light, is distinctive. (33) The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel extends from (20) Cape Charles, on the north side of the entrance, is Cape Charles across the bay entrance to a point 6 miles low and bare, but the land back of it is high and wooded. westward of Cape Henry. The 15-mile crossing has Wise Point is the most southerly mainland tip of the cape. vehicular tunnels under Chesapeake Channel and Thimble Low Fishermans Island, a National Wildlife Refuge, is Shoal Channel with fixed bridges over Fishermans Inlet 1 mile south of Wise Point. and secondary channels. The openings at Chesapeake (21) The southwest end of Smith Island is 2.4 miles and Thimble Shoal Channels are marked by lights, sound eastward of Wise Point; the island is 6 miles long, low signals and lighted buoys. At night the floodlighted tunnel and sparsely wooded and awash at half tide midway along houses are more prominent than the privately maintained its length. lights marking the channels. (22) Smith Island Shoal is 7.5 miles east-southeast of Smith Island and breaks in heavy weather. The area has (34) Caution–The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel general depths between 25 and 30 feet. complex has on several occasions suffered damage (23) Nautilus Shoal, which extends 4 miles southeastward from vessels. In every case, adverse weather prevailed from Fishermans Island, has patches with depths of 7 to with accompanying strong winds from the northwest 11 feet. A buoyed channel leads along the southwest side quadrant generally related to a frontal system. Weather of Nautilus Shoal, thence northward between Fishermans deterioration in the lower bay is quite often sudden and Island and Inner Middle Ground. The channel is used violent and constitutes an extreme hazard to vessels by local vessels drawing up to 12 feet. This channel is not operating or anchoring in this area. The proximity of the recommended for strangers because of shifting shoals. bridge-tunnel complex to main shipping channels and (24) Breakers frequently occur along the axis of Inner anchorages adds to the danger. Currents in excess of 3.0 Middle Ground, starting on the seaward side of the knots can be expected in the area. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and continuing the (35) Normal precautions dictated by prudent seamanship entire length of the shoal. This phenomenon appears to are expected of all vessels. Mariners transiting this area be associated with large swells rolling in from sea from are, however, urged to be particularly alert in regards to the south-southeast to southeast. the weather. To assist in this respect, the National Weather Service provides 24-hour weather broadcasting on 162.55 (25) ENCs - US5VA13M, US4VA12M, US4VA1AM, US- MHz. The local Marine Operator also transmits weather 4VA40M information at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 local time on Charts - 12222, 12221, 12225 2450 kHz and 2538 kHz. Information of a pending weather frontal passage should be met with advance preparations. Engines readied for short-notice maneuvering and (26) Cape Henry, on the south side of the entrance, has anchor details alerted are considered minimum prudent a range of sand hills about 80 feet high. precautions. Maneuvering in close proximity of the (27) Cape Henry Light (36°55'35"N., 76°00'26"W.), bridge-tunnel complex is also discouraged. 164 feet above the water, is shown from an octagonal, pyramidal tower, upper and lower half of each face alternately black and white, on the beach near the turn of (36) A regulated navigation area has been established the cape. in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in Chesapeake (28) The gray octagonal, pyramidal tower 110 yards Bay. (See 33 CFR 165.1 through 165.13, and 165.501, southwest of Cape Henry Light is the abandoned 1791 chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) . (37) All vessels 300 gross tons and over, including tug and barge combined, are required to obtain permission (29) prior to entering, departing and/or moving within the Local magnetic disturbance Regulation Navigation Area. To obtain permission, (30) Differences of as much as 6° from the normal vessels shall contact the Joint Harbor Operations Center variation have been observed 3 to 17 miles offshore from (JHOC) at least 30 minutes prior to entry or movement Cape Henry to Currituck Beach Light. via channel 12, alternate 13/16 VHF-FM, and relay vessel documentation number, IMO number or VIN (31) A naval restricted area extends northward and for verification. This includes entries from offshore, eastward from Cape Henry. (See 33 CFR 334.320, James River, Chesapeake Bay or Intracoastal Waterway. chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) Alternate JHOC phone numbers are 757-638-6635/6633. (32) The summer resort of Virginia Beach is about 5 If the JHOC cannot be reached, the Captain of the Port miles southward of Cape Henry Light. Many high-rise (COTP) Command Duty Officer may be reached at 757- buildings, two water tanks, and an aerobeacon 2.8 miles 668-5555. U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 26 SEP 2021 ¢ 264

(38) Route in the southeasterly approach. Federal project main Traffic Separation Schemes channel depths are 50 feet from the Virginia Capes to (39) Traffic Separation Schemes for the Chesapeake Bay Baltimore and 55 feet from the Capes to Hampton Roads. entrance and in the vicinity of Smith Point (37°52'47"N., For detailed channel information and minimum depths as 76°11'01"W.) have been established to aid navigation and reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), to prevent collisions. The schemes are not intended in use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. Surveys and any way to supersede or alter the applicable Navigation channel condition reports are available through a USACE Rules (See 33 CFR 167.1 through 167.15 and 167.200 hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix A. through 167.203, chapter 2, for limits and regulations (49) The well-marked channel to Baltimore is discussed and Traffic Separation Schemes, chapter 1, for additional further in chapters 11 to 15.

information.) (50) (40) Traffic Separation Scheme (Chesapeake Bay Current Entrance) provides for inbound-outbound traffic lanes to (51) The current velocity is often 1.0 knot on the flood enter or depart Chesapeake Bay from the northeastward and 1.5 knots on the ebb in Chesapeake Bay Entrance. See and from the southeastward. the Tidal Current prediction service at tidesandcurrents. (41) A precautionary area with a radius of 2 miles is noaa.gov for specific information about times, directions, centered on Chesapeake Bay Entrance Lighted Whistle and velocities of the current at numerous locations Buoy CH (36°56'08"N., 75°57'27"W.). A racon is at the throughout the area. Links to a user guide for this service buoy. can be found in chapter 1 of this book. (42) The northeasterly inbound-outbound traffic lanes (52) are separated by a line of lighted bell and gong buoys Pilotage, Chesapeake Bay on bearing 250°/070°. The outermost buoy in the line is (53) Pilotage is compulsory for all foreign vessels and for 6.4 miles 313° from and the innermost U.S. vessels under register in the foreign trade. Pilotage buoy is 4.5 miles 074° from Cape Henry Light. is optional for U.S. vessels under enrollment in the (43) The southeasterly approach is marked by Chesapeake coastwise trade if they have on board a pilot licensed by Bay Southern Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy CB the Federal Government to operate in these waters. (36°49'00"N., 75°45'36"W.); a racon is on the buoy. (54) The Association of Maryland Pilots has an office The inbound/outbound traffic lanes are separated by a in Baltimore (email: [email protected], telephone: deep-water route marked by lighted buoys on bearings 410-342-6013). They provide service to any port in 302°/122° and 317°/137°. The deep-water route is Maryland and service between Cape Henry, VA, to intended for deep-draft vessels and naval aircraft carriers Baltimore and between Baltimore and the Head of the entering or departing Chesapeake Bay. A vessel using the Chesapeake Bay including to Chesapeake City in the C&D deep-water route is advised to announce its intentions on Canal. Transmit ETA 72 hours with confirmation/updates VHF-FM channel 16 as it approaches Lighted Whistle 24, 12 and 6 hours before arrival pilot station. Email ETA, Buoy CB on the south end and Lighted Whistle Buoy transit speed, and draft to: [email protected]. The CH on the north end of the route. All other vessels Virginia Pilot Association has an office in Virginia Beach approaching the Chesapeake Bay Traffic Separation (telephone: 757-496-0995) and provides service to any Scheme should use the appropriate inbound/outbound port in Virginia. Vessels bound for , DC, may lanes of the northeasterly or southeasterly approaches. take a pilot from either association. (44) The Coast Guard advises that upon entering the (55) The Maryland pilots maintain a Pilot Tower with the traffic lanes, all inbound vessels are encouraged to make Virginia pilots at Cape Henry, just north of Cape Henry a security broadcast on VHF-FM channel 13, announcing Light. The pilots monitor VHF-FM channels 11, 13 and the vessel’s name, location and intentions. 16. The pilot boats are stationed in Lynnhaven Inlet. (45) Exercise extreme caution where the two routes They are 52 feet long with a black hull and white house converge off Cape Henry. Mariners are also warned displaying the “PILOT” on each side. that vessels may be maneuvering in the pilotage area that (56) The Virginia Pilot Association maintains a pilot extends into the western part of the precautionary area. station at Cape Henry, just north of Cape Henry Light. (46) Traffic Separation Scheme (Smith Point)is in the The pilots monitor VHF-FM channels 11, 16 and 74. main channel in the Chesapeake Bay off Smith Point. A Other channels are used on request. Email address: fairway buoy, 1.5 miles east of , marks [email protected]. Four pilot boats are stationed the single turn in the scheme. Northbound traffic will pass in Lynnhaven Inlet; two are in use at any given time. The eastward of the buoy and southbound traffic will pass pilot boats are 50 feet long with orange hulls and white westward of the buoy. houses with the word “PILOT” on each side. (47) (57) The Chesapeake and Interstate Pilots Association Channels offers pilot services to vessels engaged in the coastwise (48) The deepest route to and from Chesapeake Bay is trade and public vessels between Cape Henry and south of Chesapeake Light through the buoyed Deep-Water various ports and places on the Chesapeake Bay and its SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 265 26

tributaries. Arrangements for pilots are made through has a large turning area just south of the highway bridge ships’ agents or the pilot office in Norfolk (telephone: over the inlet. 757-855-2733). The pilots board from a commercial (69) launch. Pilot ladders are recommended to be rigged 4 Structures across Lynnhaven Inlet and Tributaries feet above the water on the leeward side. The pilot vessel Clearances (feet) monitors VHF-FM channels 13 and 16, 90 minutes prior Name Type Location Horizontal Vertical* to the last ETA received. Cellular confirmation of arrival Lynnhaven is recommended if radio contact is not successful. Inlet (58) Vessels are boarded in the Pilot boarding area off Lesner/ fixed 36°54'27"N., 84 35 Shore Drive 76°05'32"W. Cape Henry. (Bridge is (59) It has been noted that sometimes considerable under construction) differences occur between a vessel’s ETA and her actual Overhead power 36°54'22"N., 68 arrival due to conditions encountered between Cape cable 76°05'32"W.

Hatteras and Cape Henry. Revisions to the ETA of 1 hour Broad Bay or greater should be passed to the pilots especially if the Canal vessel’s arrival will be sooner than previously advised. Overhead power 36°54'10"N., 55 cables 76°04'08"W. (60) <60-61 Deleted> West Great fixed 36°54'11"N., 60 35 Neck Road 76°04'06"W. (62) North Great fixed 36°54'10"N., 160 36 ENCs - US5VA19M, US5VA13M, US5VA20M Neck Road 76°04'01"W.

Charts - 12254, 12222, 12256 Long Creek

Overhead power 36°54'13"N., 37 (63) Thimble Shoal Channel, the improved approach cables 76°04'10"W. to Hampton Roads, begins 2.3 miles northwest of Cape West Great fixed 36°54'15"N., 40 20 Neck Road 76°04'09"W. Henry Light and extends 9.5 miles west-northwestward; a North Great fixed 36°54'16"N., 160 36 Federal project provides for a 55-foot-deep channel with Neck Road 76°04'02"W.

a 32-foot-deep auxiliary channel on each side of the main * Clearances are Referenced to Mean High Water channel. For detailed channel information and minimum

depths as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (70) The entrance to Broad Bay is through a dredged (USACE), use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. channel leading eastward from the north end of Lynnhaven Surveys and channel condition reports are available Bay. The channel is marked by daybeacons and a light at through a USACE hydrographic survey website listed in each end. The channel has extremely heavy boat traffic Appendix A. and is especially congested on summer weekends; caution (64) Naval and general anchorages are west of Cape is advised. Henry between Thimble Shoal Channel and Lynnhaven (71) An alternate route to Broad Bay is through Long Roads. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.168, chapter 2, for Creek, which branches northeastward from the dredged limits and regulations.) channel just west of West Great Neck Road Bridge. (65) Thimble Shoal Channel is a regulated navigation (72) Depths in Broad Bay are about 6 to 7 feet. A area and draft limitations apply. A vessel drawing less marked dredged channel leads southeastward through than 25 feet may not enter the channel, unless the vessel The Narrows to the southern end of Linkhorn Bay near is crossing the channel. (See 33 CFR 165.501, chapter 2, Virginia Beach. for limits and regulations.) (73) Small-craft facilities are along the dredged channel (66) Lynnhaven Roads, an open bight westward of from Lynnhaven inlet to Broad Bay, in Long Creek and Cape Henry, is protected from southerly winds and is the east fork of Linkhorn Bay. sometimes used as an anchorage. The former dumping- (74) Little Creek is entered between jetties 8 miles ground area in the western part of the bight has shoals and westward of Cape Henry Light. The U.S. Naval obstructions with depths as little as 11 feet; elsewhere, Amphibious Base occupies much of the creek; small general depths are 20 to 28 feet. Eastward of Lynnhaven craft use the west arm. Inlet, the 18-foot curve is no more than 0.3 mile from (75) A dredged channel in Little Creek leads to a basin off shore; westward of the inlet, the shoaling is gradual and the railroad terminal, 1.2 miles south of the jetties. The depths of 18 feet can be found 0.8 mile from shore. channel is marked by a 177.7° lighted entrance range and (67) There are two small-craft openings in the Chesapeake by lights. Little Creek Coast Guard Station is eastward Bay Bridge-Tunnel south of Thimble Shoal Channel. of the railroad terminal. Each fixed span has a clearance of 21 feet. (76) Fishermans Cove, on the west side of Little Creek, (68) Lynnhaven Inlet, 4 miles westward of Cape Henry has fuel and berthing facilities for small craft. A speed Light, is subject to continual change. The entrance limit of 5 knots is prescribed for Fishermans Cove. channel through the inlet is marked by lights and lighted (77) Naval danger zones and restricted areas extend and unlighted buoys. Lynnhaven Bay, south of the inlet, northward from the vicinity of Little Creek to the edge U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 26 SEP 2021 ¢ 266

(86) Newport News to Craney Island Pipeline The Newport News to Craney Island pipeline is a 24-inch diameter submerged pipeline carrying natural gas. The method of construction involved directional drilling from five locations along the length of the pipeline termed Stitch Points, labeled A through E on the charts. At each stitch point the pipeline is 10 feet below the seabed. The depth of the pipeline is 20 feet below the seabed at Newport News Channel and 65 feet below the seabed between Stitch Points C through E.

From the shoreline in Newport News, the initial section of pipeline runs to:

Stitch Point A (36°58'23.9"N., 76°23'42.1"W.), thence to

Stitch Point B (36°57'34.7"N., 76°23'28.8"W.), thence to

Stitch Point C (36°57'04.0"N., 76°23'20.4"W.); thence to

Stitch Point D (36°56'33.1"N., 76°23'12.0"W.); thence to

Stitch Point E (36°55'55.7"N., 76°23'09.4"W.); thence to the shoreline at Craney Island.

of Thimble Shoal Channel. (See 33 CFR 334.310 and (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.168, chapter 2, for limits and 334.370, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) regulations.)

(78) (87) ENC - US5VA15M Current Chart - 12245 (88) Information for several places in Hampton Roads and Elizabeth River is available from the Tidal Current prediction service at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov. The (79) Hampton Roads, at the southwest corner of Chesapeake Bay, is entered 16 miles westward of currents are influenced considerably by the winds and at the Virginia Capes. It includes the Port of Norfolk, times attain velocities in excess of the tabulated values. encompassing the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth and The current velocity is about 1.0 knot in Hampton Roads Chesapeake and the Port of Newport News, which takes and about 0.6 knot in Elizabeth River. Links to a user in the cities of Newport News and Hampton. guide for the tidal prediciton service can be found in chapter 1 of this book. (80) Hampton Roads is the world’s foremost bulk cargo harbor. Coal, petroleum products, grain, sand and gravel, (89) tobacco and fertilizer constitute more than 90 percent Ice of the heavy traffic movement by water, although an (90) Hampton Roads is free of ice. In severe winters increasing amount of general cargo is handled by the the upper part of Southern Branch, Elizabeth River, is Hampton Roads ports. sometimes closed for short periods. (91) <91-92 Deleted> (81) Channels (93) (82) The approach to Hampton Roads is through Thimble Pilotage Shoal Channel. There are natural depths of 80 to 20 feet (94) Pilotage for Hampton Roads ports. (See Pilotage at in the main part of Hampton Roads, but the harbor shoals the beginning of this chapter and chapter 3.)

to less than 10 feet toward the shores. Dredged channels (95) lead to the principal ports. Towage (83) Two main Federal project channels, marked by (96) Vessels usually proceed from Cape Henry to points buoys, lead through Hampton Roads. One channel leads in the Hampton Roads port area under their own power southward along the waterfronts of Norfolk, Portsmouth and without assistance. A large fleet of tugs is available and Chesapeake to the first bridge across the Southern at Norfolk and Newport News to assist in docking or Branch of Elizabeth River; project depths are 50 feet undocking and in shifting within the harbor. through Norfolk Harbor Entrance Reach, thence 50 feet (97) through Craney Island Reach at Lamberts Point, thence Quarantine, customs, immigration and agricultural 40 feet to the bridge. Newport News Channel, with a quarantine 55-foot project depth, leads westward to the waterfront (98) (See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and at Newport News at the entrance to James River. For appendix for addresses.) detailed channel information and minimum depths as (99) Quarantine is enforced in accordance with reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. Surveys and Health Service, chapter 1.) The quarantine anchorage channel condition reports are available through a USACE is in the Chesapeake Bay, about 6 miles southwest of hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix A. Fishermans Island, Virginia. (84) (100) Hampton Roads is a customs port of entry. Anchorages (101) (85) Numerous general, explosives, naval and small-craft Coast Guard anchorages are in Hampton Roads and Elizabeth River. (102) A Sector Office is in Portsmouth—see Appendix A for address. SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 267 26

(103) connect Hampton Roads with the principal U.S. and Harbor regulations foreign ports; most of the lines have regular sailings, and (104) Port regulations are principally concerned with others maintain frequent but irregular service. Airlines grain, coal handling, port charges and pilotage and offer prompt airfreight, express and passenger service stevedoring rates. Copies of these regulations may be from Norfolk and Newport News to major U.S. cities obtained from the Virginia Maritime Association, 236 with connecting service overseas. East Plume Street, Norfolk, VA 23514. (105) Anchorage regulations are given in 33 CFR 110.1 (116) (37°00'52"N., 76°14'23"W.) and 110.168, chapter 2. is on the eastern edge of the shoal. Thimble Shoal is the (106) southern edge of Horseshoe, described in chapter 11. Wharves (117) The entrance to Hampton Roads is between (107) The Hampton Roads area has more than 200 piers Willoughby Spit and , 2 miles to the and wharves along more than 30 miles of improved northward. waterfront; only the major deepwater facilities are (118) A bridge-tunnel complex crosses Chesapeake Bay described. Included: are coal piers, containerized-cargo from Willoughby Spit to Hampton. berths, oil storage and bunkering facilities, general- (119) Old Point Comfort is the site of historic Fort cargo, grain and ore piers, marine railways and drydocks. Monroe. The Chamberlin Hotel is an excellent landmark. Available depths are 22 to 42 feet at the general-cargo, Old Point Comfort Light (37°00'06"N., 76°18'23"W.), ore and grain piers, 36 to 45 feet at the coal piers and 20 54 feet above the water, is shown from a white tower. to 42 feet at the oil-storage and bunkering facilities. A Only Government craft can tie up at the wharf on the 350-ton floating crane is available. south waterfront of Old Point Comfort. (120) A naval restricted area extends eastward and (108) Supplies southward of Old Point Comfort, and a danger zone of an army firing range extends to seaward from a point (109) The principal coal-handling and bunkering piers are those of the at Lamberts Point, 1.5 miles northward of the point. (See 33 CFR 334.360 Norfolk, and of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway at and 334.350, chapter 2, respectively, for limits and Newport News. Bunker oil is available at Sewells Point, regulations.) in Southern Branch of Elizabeth River and at Newport (121) Hampton Bar begins about 200 yards southwestward News, or it can be delivered from barges in the stream. of Old Point Comfort and extends 2 miles southwestward; Fresh water is available on the principal piers and can be depths on the bar are 2 to 6 feet. The bar is marked along supplied from barges. The area also has numerous ship its southern edge by a light, a buoy and daybeacons. These chandlers and marine suppliers. aids to navigation, together with one on Hampton Flats, aid vessels in mooring in the naval and other anchorages (110) northward of the main channel. Repairs (122) A dredged channel, marked by a light and daybeacons, (111) Hampton Roads has extensive facilities for leads along the west side of Old Point Comfort to the fish drydocking and making major repairs to large deep-draft wharves at Phoebus and has a federal project depth of vessels. The largest floating drydock at Norfolk has a 12 feet. (See Notice to Mariners and latest edition of the capacity of 54,000 tons, and the largest marine railway charts for controlling depths.) The wharves have depths can handle 6,000 tons. The shipyard at Newport News is of 8 to 12 feet at their outer ends but are in poor condition. one of the largest and best equipped in the United States; Small craft can anchor in depths of 8 to 20 feet along the the principal graving dock has a length of 1,600 feet sides of the channel. The yacht piers are on the keel blocks. There are many other yards that are on the east side of the channel 0.4 mile above Old Point especially equipped to handle medium-sized and small Comfort. vessels. More details on these repair facilities are given (123) Hampton River, 1.5 miles westward of Old Point with the discussion of the waterway or port in which they Comfort, is entered by a marked channel through Hampton are located. Bar and Flats to a point just below the highway bridge at (112) Hampton. Federal project depths are 12 feet. (See Notice Small-craft facilities to Mariners and latest edition of the charts for controlling (113) Complete services and repairs are available at depths.) Some small craft also enter west of Hampton Bar. Hampton Roads ports. There are marine railways up to Hampton, on the west side of the river 2 miles above the 11 tons and mobile hoists up to 80 tons for repairs. channel entrance, is an important seafood center. Traffic (114) on the river consists of seafood and petroleum products, Communications sand and gravel and building materials. The residential (115) Hampton Roads ports are served by a terminal and commercial areas of Hampton are on the west side beltline and several large railroads and by more than 50 of Hampton River; Hampton University and a Veterans motor carriers. In addition, over 90 ocean carrier lines Hospital are on the east side. U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 26 SEP 2021 ¢ 268

(136)

Facilities in Newport News

Dimensions (feet) Owned/ Name Location Space Depth* Deck Storage, Handling and Purpose Operated by: Newport News Marine 36°58'19"N., 1,974 36-40 15 • Open storage (60 acres) Virginia Port Authority/ Terminal (Pier B) 76°26'02"W. • Covered storage (267,900 square feet) Virginia International Reciept and shipment of conventional, Terminals, Inc. containerized general cargo Newport News Marine 36°58'09"N., 2,422 40 14 • Covered storage Virginia Port Authority/ Terminal (Pier C) 76°25'58"W. (123,000 square feet) Virginia International • Four container cranes (up to 182 tons) Terminals, Inc. Reciept and shipment of conventional, containerized and roll-on/roll-off general cargo and heavy lift items Kinder Morgan Bulk 36°58'02"N., 1,750 43-50 11.8 • Open storage (1.4 million tons of coal) Kinder Morgan Energy Terminals (Pier IX) 76°25'47"W. • Silo storage (30,000 tons of cement) Partners, LP • Electric belt-conveyor system • Shipment of coal and receipt of cement Dominion Terminal 36°57'45"N., 2,000 50 13 • Open storage (1.4 million tons of coal) Dominion Terminal Associates (Pier 11) 76°25'26"W. • Silo storage (6,800 tons) Associates • Electric belt-conveyor system • Shipment of coal Jerry O. Talton (Pier 14) 36°57'41"N., 2,180 40-45 11.5 Open storage (43 acres) CSX Real Property, 76°25'12"W. Reciept and shipment of containerized Inc./Jerry O. Talton, general cargo and military equipment Inc. Jerry O. Talton (Pier 15) 36°57'40"N., 2,000 35-42 9.5 Open storage (43 acres) CSX Real Property, 76°25'04"W. Reciept and shipment of containerized Inc./Jerry O. Talton, general cargo and military equipment Inc. Koch Materials 36°57'42"N., 1,300 26-35 16-27 • Tank storage (435,000 barrels) Koch Materials Co. Newport News Tanker 76°24'58"W. • Hose handling hoists and Barge Dock Receipt and shipment of asphalt * The depths given above are reported. For information on the latest depths contact the port authorities or the private operators.

(124) Sunset Creek, on the west side just above the (129) Newport News Middle Ground Light (36°56'43"N., Hampton River mouth, is entered by a marked dredged 76°23'29"W.), 52 feet above the water, is shown from channel leading westward from the channel in the river a red conical tower on a red cylindrical pier near the and has a federal project of 12 feet. (See Notice to western end of the shoal. Mariners and latest editions of the charts for controlling (130) Newport News Point (36°57.8'N., 76°24.7'W.) on depths.) the north side of the entrance to James River, is 21.5 (125) The principal commercial wharves at Hampton, just miles from the Virginia Capes. The city of Newport below the bridge, have depths of 7 to 12 feet at their faces. News extends several miles along the northeast bank of The public landing 500 yards below the bridge has depths James River. of 8 feet at the face; small boats anchor between the public (131) Newport News Creek, just west of Newport landing and the bridge. The wharves along Sunset Creek News Point, is a city-owned small-boat harbor used have depths of 4 to 9 feet at their outer ends. by fishing boats, pleasure craft and petroleum barges. (126) Marine supplies, gasoline, diesel fuel and a pump- Vessels entering the creek should not cut between Buoy out station are available at Hampton. A yacht club and 1 and the bridge-tunnel interchange as the bridge-tunnel several marinas here have berthing space—repairs can interchange is surrounded by shoal riprap. In 2007, a be made. The largest marine railway is 120 feet and lifts rocky bottom with a depth of 6 feet was reported just up to 35 tons. south-southeast of Newport News Point at 36°57'30"N., (127) Jones Creek, on the east side of Hampton River 76°24'37"W.; caution is advised. Fuel, supplies and slips 300 yards above the mouth, has depths of 8 to 11 feet. are available, and repairs can be made. A 75-ton marine The bulkheads have depths of 3 to 10 feet alongside and railway and a 40-ton mobile hoist are available. are controlled by the Veterans Hospital on the south and (132) Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company Hampton University on the north. is just below the James River Bridge on the east side of (128) The 55-foot project channel to Newport News was the river. A security zone is along the waterfront of the discussed earlier. Depths along the edges of the dredged company property. (See 33 CFR 165.1 through 165.33 section are 19 to 25 feet. The currents do not always set and 165.504, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)

fair with the channel, especially with strong winds, and (133) deep-draft vessels sometimes find it difficult to stay in the Wharves channel. (134) The deepwater piers and wharves at Newport News extend from Newport News Point for 2.5 miles up James SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 269 26

River. Only the major facilities are listed in the facility up Western Branch to a point 0.5 mile above the West table for Newport News. All have access to highways Norfolk highway bridge and up Eastern Branch for 2.5 and railroads, freshwater connections and electric shore- miles to the Norfolk Southern Railway bridge. power connections. Unless otherwise indicated, these (146) The main part of Norfolk is on the east side of facilities are owned by the Virginia Ports Authority. Elizabeth River north of Eastern Branch, with Berkley, The alongside depths given for each facility listed are a subdivision, to the southward between Eastern and reported—for information on the latest depths, contact Southern Branches. South of Berkley is the city of the operator. Chesapeake. Portsmouth is opposite Norfolk, and its (135) The facilities of the Newport News Shipbuilding and waterfront extends along the west shore of Southern Drydock Co. begin 1.7 miles northwest of Newport News Branch and the south shore of Western Branch. These Point and extend 2 miles upriver. The company operates cities form practically a single community, united by the four outfitting piers equipped with cranes, largest capacity same commercial interests and served by the same ship 80 tons; 2 drydocks, largest 640 feet long, 30 feet channel. alongside; three graving docks, largest 1,670 feet long, (147) Naval restricted areas are along both sides of 40 feet alongside with cranes of 990- and 310-ton the Elizabeth River (Southern Branch). (See 33 CFR capacity; two inclining shipways with lengths to 60 feet; 334.290, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)

floating cranes up to 67-ton capacity available. (148) (137) Willoughby Spit, on the south side of the entrance Weather to Hampton Roads, is a narrow barrier beach 1.3 miles (149) Norfolk, located in extreme southeastern Virginia, long in an east-west direction. About midway between has an average elevation of 13 feet (3.96 m) above sea level the spit and Old Point Comfort, on the opposite side of and, almost surrounded by water, has a modified marine the entrance, is , which is on the south edge of climate. The city’s geographic position with respect to the the main ship channel. principal storm tracks is especially favorable, being south (138) The 45-foot-wide small-boat openings in the of the average path of storms originating in the higher south approach bridge to Hampton Roads Tunnel have latitudes and north of the usual track of hurricanes and clearances of 10 feet. other tropical storms. These features combine to place (139) Willoughby Bank, with depths of 4 to 7 feet, extends Norfolk in one of the favored climatic regions of the east-northeastward along the edge of the main channel for United States. Temperatures of 100ºF (37ºC) or higher about 2.5 miles from Fort Wool. are infrequent and cold waves are uncommon. (140) Willoughby Bay, on the inner side of Willoughby (150) The average temperature at Norfolk is 60.1°F Spit, has general depths of 7 to 12 feet. On the south side (15.6°C). The average daily extremes are 68.5°F (20.3°C) of the bay are the prominent buildings of the Norfolk and 51.2°F (10.7°C). January is the coolest month with Naval Base and the Naval Air Station. A marked channel an average temperature of 40.5°F (4.7°C) while July with a Federal project depth of 10 feet, 0.4 mile westward is the warmest month with an average temperature of of Fort Wool, leads to a small-boat harbor behind the 79.4°F (26.3°C). The warmest temperature on record is hook of Willoughby Spit. (See Notice to Mariners and 104°F (40°C), recorded in August 1980, and the coolest latest editions of the charts for controlling depths.) Some temperature on record is -3°F (-19.4°C), recorded in supplies, fuel and berthing are available—repairs can be January 1985. Each month, October through April, has made. The largest marine railway is 40 feet. recorded temperatures below freezing (0°C), while each (141) The western and southern part of Willoughby Bay is month, May through August, has seen temperatures in a restricted area. (See 33 CFR 334.300, chapter 2, for excess of 100°F (37.8°C). The average date of the last limits and regulations.) freezing temperature in the spring is March 23, while the (142) A fixed highway bridge with a clearance of25 average date of the first in autumn is November 18. feet crosses the yacht anchorage in the northern part of (151) The average annual precipitation of Norfolk is 44.83 Willoughby Bay. inches (113.9 mm). Precipitation is uniformly distributed (143) throughout the year except for a noticeable peak in July ENCs - US5VA15M, US5VA17M and August. November is the driest month, averaging Charts - 12245, 12253 only 3 inches (76.2 mm), while, thanks to convective activity, August is the wettest month, averaging 5.27 inches (133.9 mm). The greatest 24-hour precipitation (144) Norfolk Harbor comprises a portion of the southern and eastern shores of Hampton Roads and both shores of was 7.41 inches (188.2 mm), which fell in August 1964. Elizabeth River and its Eastern, Southern and Western (152) Occasional winters pass without a measurable Branches, on which the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth and amount of snowfall, and when snow does occur, it Chesapeake are located. generally occurs in light falls, which usually melt and disappear within 24 hours. Overall, snowfall is light and (145) The harbor extends from off Sewells Point south in Elizabeth River to the seventh bridge over Southern averages only 8 inches (203.2 mm) each year and has Branch, a distance of 15 miles; it extends 1.5 miles occurred in each month, November through April. The U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 26 SEP 2021 ¢ 270

(153) CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA – NORFOLK, VIRGINIA (36°54'N, 76°12'W) 43 feet (13 m)

WEATHER ELEMENTS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR RECORD SEA LEVEL PRESSURE (station pressure reduced to sea level) YEARS OF Mean (millibars) 1019.6 1018.9 1017.0 1016.1 1016.3 1015.8 1016.7 1017.1 1018.3 1019.2 1019.3 1020.2 1017.9 49 TEMPERATURE (°F) Mean 40.5 42.2 49.1 58.3 66.8 74.9 79.4 77.8 72.4 61.9 52.6 44.0 60.1 50 Mean daily maximum 48.4 50.7 58.0 68.0 75.8 83.6 87.5 85.5 80.0 70.1 61.3 52.2 68.5 50 Mean daily minimum 32.1 33.2 39.7 48.1 57.3 65.7 70.8 69.6 64.2 53.2 43.4 35.4 51.2 50 Extreme (highest) 78 82 88 97 100 101 103 104 99 95 86 80 104 50 Extreme (lowest) -3 8 18 28 36 45 54 49 45 27 20 7 -3 50 RELATIVE HUMIDITY Average percentage 70.6 64.1 45.0 35.8 37.6 33.3 41.6 46.3 58.2 66.8 68.3 76.5 53.7 50 CLOUD COVER Percent of time clear 26.4 27.5 26.6 26.3 20.9 18.2 16.3 16.9 21.9 29.6 29.8 28.7 24.1 48 Percent of time scattered 13.3 13.0 14.6 17.4 18.0 23.4 24.3 24.2 22.5 18.2 17.3 14.6 18.4 48 Percent of time broken 12.4 12.8 14.0 17.0 20.5 24.3 26.0 26.1 21.8 16.1 15.7 13.5 18.4 48 Percent of time overcast 44.6 43.3 41.3 35.4 35.5 28.7 27.1 27.2 28.6 32.1 33.2 39.2 34.7 48 PRECIPITATION (inches) Mean amount 3.6 3.2 3.8 3.0 3.6 3.5 5.2 5.2 3.8 3.3 3.0 3.1 44.8 50 Greatest amount 9.9 6.2 10.3 7.2 10.1 9.7 14.3 14.3 13.8 10.1 7.0 6.1 64.9 50 Least amount 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.4 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.6 26.4 50 Maximum amount (24 hours) 3.7 2.6 3.7 5.8 3.4 5.7 4.7 7.4 6.4 3.7 3.3 2.5 7.4 50 Mean number of days 15 14 15 14 14 13 14 14 11 11 12 13 160 50 SNOW Mean amount 2.9 3.1 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 8.0 48 Greatest amount 14.2 24.4 13.7 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 14.7 41.9 48 Least amount 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 T 48 Maximum amount (24 hours) 9.0 13.6 8.1 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 10.4 13.6 48 Mean number of days 4 4 2 Miss 0 0 0 0 0 0 Miss 2 12 50 WIND Percentage with gales 0.01 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.02 0.01 0.02 50 Mean wind speed (knots) 9.9 10.3 10.7 10.2 9.1 8.4 7.8 7.6 8.3 8.9 9.2 9.5 9.1 50 Direction (percentage of observations) North 11.5 11.2 8.6 6.7 5.1 4.0 3.3 4.1 5.9 8.3 8.0 9.9 7.2 50 North Northeast 9.7 10.5 8.5 6.6 6.9 5.5 4.7 6.0 8.1 10.4 8.0 8.9 7.8 50 Northeast 7.5 8.3 9.1 8.3 10.0 9.2 7.8 10.5 13.9 12.5 8.6 7.3 9.4 50 East Northeast 3.0 3.7 4.9 5.6 6.8 6.6 5.4 7.5 8.7 6.8 3.7 3.0 5.5 50 East 1.8 2.7 3.8 3.5 4.6 4.8 4.2 4.8 5.6 4.1 2.8 2.0 3.7 50 East Southeast 1.5 2.3 3.7 4.0 4.4 4.7 3.9 4.0 4.0 2.6 2.3 1.5 3.2 50 Southeast 2.6 3.2 4.2 5.0 5.8 5.9 5.1 5.2 4.8 3.6 3.1 2.5 4.3 50 South Southeast 2.9 3.6 4.7 5.5 5.9 5.6 5.3 5.4 4.4 3.5 3.7 3.1 4.5 50 South 7.0 6.6 7.4 9.0 9.2 9.2 10.2 9.4 8.0 6.8 8.5 7.4 8.2 50 South Southwest 8.2 7.9 8.2 10.3 9.7 11.3 12.8 10.3 8.4 7.7 9.0 8.8 9.4 50 Southwest 9.6 8.7 8.7 10.8 11.0 12.8 15.8 12.4 9.0 8.8 10.4 10.7 10.7 50 West Southwest 6.2 6.2 5.4 5.8 5.7 6.1 7.3 5.4 3.9 4.5 6.1 6.6 5.8 50 West 6.2 5.2 4.7 4.7 3.8 4.1 3.9 3.2 2.6 3.0 5.1 5.9 4.4 50 West Northwest 5.8 5.4 5.3 4.4 3.1 2.6 2.4 1.9 2.1 3.1 5.0 5.7 3.9 50 Northwest 6.8 6.1 5.8 4.2 2.8 2.4 2.1 2.5 3.0 4.8 6.2 7.2 4.5 50 North Northwest 6.9 6.1 5.2 3.9 2.4 2.0 1.7 2.0 2.4 4.4 5.6 6.1 4.1 50 Calm 2.7 2.4 1.8 1.8 2.8 3.2 4.0 5.2 5.1 5.0 3.9 3.6 3.5 50 Direction (mean speed, knots) North 11.3 11.9 12.0 12.1 10.6 10.1 8.9 9.5 11.3 11.6 11.2 11.4 11.3 50 North Northeast 10.5 11.2 11.6 11.3 10.7 9.5 8.8 9.8 11.5 12.0 11.0 11.1 10.9 50 Northeast 9.8 10.1 10.5 10.5 10.6 9.9 9.1 9.7 11.1 11.3 10.1 9.4 10.3 50 East Northeast 7.9 9.0 9.8 9.9 9.3 9.5 8.6 8.8 9.7 9.5 8.5 7.9 9.2 50 East 7.0 7.5 8.2 8.2 1.6 7.5 7.0 6.8 7.0 7.6 7.5 7.0 7.4 50 East Southeast 6.5 7.8 8.2 8.2 7.3 7.3 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.9 7.8 7.0 7.2 50 Southeast 7.3 8.0 8.3 8.1 7.8 7.3 6.9 6.5 6.6 6.6 7.3 7.3 7.3 50 South Southeast 7.9 8.2 9.1 8.4 7.9 7.0 6.5 6.6 6.5 6.8 7.9 7.8 7.5 50 South 8.6 8.7 10.3 9.5 8.6 7.8 7.4 7.2 6.9 7.2 8.3 8.4 8.2 50 South Southwest 9.7 10.3 11.0 11.0 9.6 9.1 8.5 7.9 7.9 7.8 8.9 9.4 9.2 50 Southwest 10.8 10.7 11.8 11.2 10.1 9.5 9.0 8.3 8.1 8.3 9.0 9.8 9.6 50 West Southwest 10.9 11.5 11.7 10.9 9.7 9.0 8.4 7.8 8.1 8.3 9.4 10.1 9.7 50 West 10.8 11.2 11.5 10.6 9.0 8.0 7.4 6.8 7.1 7.8 9.5 9.8 9.5 50 West Northwest 10.8 12.0 12.2 11.1 9.1 8.7 7.2 7.2 7.5 8.8 9.9 10.6 10.2 50 Northwest 10.9 11.7 12.3 11.1 9.3 8.1 7.0 6.8 8.1 9.3 10.4 10.7 10.2 50 North Northwest 12.0 11.8 12.3 11.7 10.1 9.0 8.2 8.3 9.9 11.5 11.5 11.6 11.2 50 VISIBILITY Mean number of days with fog 13 12 12 11 13 12 13 16 14 14 13 12 155 50 T = trace (not measurable) amount of precipitation Miss or blank is a missing value SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 271 26

(160)

Facilities in Norfolk

Dimensions (feet) Owned/ Name Location Space Depth* Deck Storage, Handling and Purpose Operated by: South of Sewells Point between the Naval Base and Tanner Point

Norfolk International 36°55'53"N., 2,902 36 9.5 Open storage (3 acres) Virginia Port Authority/ Terminals (Pier 3) 76°20'01"W. Covered storage (115,000 square feet) Norfolk International Cold storage (100,000 cubic feet) Terminals, Inc. Occasional receipt of conventional general cargo Occasional shipment of frozen food products

Lehigh Cement Company 36°55'48"N., 700 29 11 Silo storage (32,900 tons of cement) Lehigh Cement Norfolk Terminal Pier 76°19'49"W. Occasional receipt of bulk cement Company

Norfolk International Terminals 36°55'32"N., 1,527 40 10 Open storage (200 acres) Virginia Port Authority/ (North Berth No. 1) 76°19'46"W. Three 50-long-ton container cranes Norfolk International Receipt and shipment of containerized general cargo Terminals, Inc.

Norfolk International Terminals 36°55'10"N., 900 32 9.8 Open storage (1.4 acres) Virginia Port Authority/ (RO/RO Berth) 76°19'42"W. Covered storage (67,000 square feet) Norfolk International One 350-ton floating derrick Terminals, Inc. Receipt and shipment of roll-on/roll-off cargo

Norfolk International 36°55'03"N., 2,656 30-32 9.8 Covered storage (275,000 square feet) Virginia Port Authority/ Terminals (Pier 2) 76°19'57"W. Receipt and shipment of conventional general cargo Norfolk International Terminals, Inc.

Norfolk International 36°54'55"N., 2,640 30-32 9.8 Covered storage (238,000 square feet) Virginia Port Authority/ Terminals (Pier 1) 76°19'56"W. Receipt and shipment of conventional general cargo Norfolk International Terminals, Inc.

Norfolk International Terminals 36°54'53"N., 750 36 9.8 Open storage area Virginia Port Authority/ (Container Berth No. 1) 76°19'39"W. Three 50-long-ton container cranes Norfolk International Receipt and shipment of conventional general cargo Terminals, Inc.

Norfolk International Terminals 36°54'45"N., 830 41 9.8 Open storage area Virginia Port Authority/ (Container Berth No. 2) 76°19'38"W. Three 50-long-ton container cranes Norfolk International Receipt and shipment of conventional general cargo Terminals, Inc.

Norfolk International Terminals 36°54'35"N., 1,100 41 9.8 Open storage area Virginia Port Authority/ (Container Berth No. 3) 76°19'36"W. Three 48-long-ton container cranes Norfolk International Receipt and shipment of conventional general cargo Terminals, Inc.

Norfolk International Terminals 36°54'22"N., 1,550 41 9.8 Open storage area Virginia Port Authority/ (Container Berth No. 4) 76°19'34"W. Three 48-long-ton container cranes Norfolk International Receipt and shipment of conventional general cargo Terminals, Inc.

Facilities at Lamberts Point

Norfolk Southern Railway 36°52'47"N., 1,850 53 11 Silo storage (10,000 tons of coal) Norfolk Southern Corp./ Company 76°19'56"W. Two electric traveling coal loading towers Norfolk Southern Lambert's Point Coal Pier Shipment of coal Railway Corp. No. 6

Lambert's Point Docks 36°51'57"N., 2,590 24-32 10.8 Open storage (0.5 acre) Norfolk Southern Corp./ Pier N 76°19'11"W. Tank storage (3.2 million gallons) Lambert's Point Docks, Covered storage (320,000 square feet) Inc. and Norfolk Oil Receipt and shipment of conventional general cargo Transit, Inc. Receipt of animal and vegetable oils

Lambert's Point Docks 36°51'45"N., 2,790 32 11 Open storage (7.5 acres) Norfolk Southern Corp./ Pier P 76°18'56"W. Covered storage (326,000 square feet) Lambert's Point Docks, Four cranes to 50 tons Inc. Receipt and shipment of conventional and containerized general cargo and roll-on/roll-off cargo

Pinner Point

Portsmouth Marine 36°51'26"N., 3,535 40 12 Open storage (55 acres) Virginia Port Authority/ Terminal Wharf 76°19'33"W. Covered storage (130,000 square feet) Virginia International Six container cranes to 60 tons Terminals, Inc. One 110-ton gantry crane Receipt and shipment of conventional, containerized and roll-on/roll-off general cargo Receipt of automobiles and shipment of tobacco

APM Terminals 36°51'29"N., 1,000 40 12 Open storage Virginia Port Authority/ Portsmouth Wharf 76°19'06"W. Three container cranes to 35 long tons Universal Maritime Four 50-ton gantry cranes Service Corp. Receipt and shipment of containerized general cargo

Elizabeth River (Eastern Branch)

Allied Terminals 36°50'20"N., 625 25 9 Tank storage (17.6 million gallons) Allied Terminals Inc. Norfolk Terminal Wharf 76°16'20"W. Receipt of liquid fertilizer, mathanol and caustic soda

Elizabeth River (Southern Branch)

United States Gypsum Co. 36°49'18"N., 645 32 10 Open storage United States Gypsum Norfolk Wharf 76°17'22"W. Covered storage Company Electric belt-conveyor system Receipt of gypsum rock U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 26 SEP 2021 ¢ 272

Facilities in Norfolk

Dimensions (feet) Owned/ Name Location Space Depth* Deck Storage, Handling and Purpose Operated by: Crown Central Petroleum 36°49'15"N., 300 31-35 40-43 Tank storage (214,300 barrels) Crown Cenral Corporation 76°17'22"W. Shipment and occasional receipt of diesel fuel Petroleum Corp. Chesapeake Barge Dock

ExxonMobile Refining and 36°49'13"N., 335 21 10 Tank storage (762,000 barrels) ExxonMobile Oil Corp. Supply Company 76°17'20"W. Shipment and occasional receipt of petroleum products Chesepeake Terminal by barge Barge Wharf

ExxonMobile Refining and 36°49'08"N., 810 35 10 Tank storage (1.1 million barrels) ExxonMobile Oil Corp. Supply Company 76°17'23"W. Receipt and shipment of bulk and packaged petroleum Chesepeake Terminal products Tanker Wharf

Mid-Atlantic Terminals 36°48'59"N., 735 40 12 Open storage (40 acres) Mid-Atlantic Terminals, Chesapeake Wharf 76°17'22"W. One ship loader and electric belt-conveyor system LLC. Shipment and occasional receipt of wood chips and other dry bulk materials

Roanoke Cement Co. 36°48'52"N., 500 35 10 Silo storage (18,500 tons of cement) Titan , Inc./ Ohio Street Terminal Wharf 76°17'22"W. Covered storage (25,000 tons of cement clinker) Roanoke Cement Co. Receipt of bulk cement and cement clinker and Lafarge Calcium Aluminates

Roanoke Cement Co. 36°48'47"N., 450 25 9 Covered storage (70,000 tons of fertilizer) Titan America, Inc./ Chesapeake Plant Wharf 76°17'21"W. Occasional shipment of dry bulk fertilizer Roanoke Cement Co.

Apex Oil Company 36°48'22"N., 290 19 11 Tank storage (250,000 barrels) Center Point Terminal Chesapeake Terminal 76°17'23"W. shared with adjoining upper barge wharf Group, Inc./ Lower Barge Wharf Receipt and shipment of petroleum products by barge Apex Oil Co.

Apex Oil Company 36°48'16"N., 390 27 11 Tank storage (250,000 barrels) Center Point Terminal Chesapeake Terminal 76°17'24"W. Receipt and shipment of petroleum products Group, Inc./ Upper Barge Wharf Receipt of asphalt Apex Oil Co.

Perdue Farms 36°48'10"N., 416 38 10 Tank storage (9.2 million gallons) Perdue Farms, Inc. Chesapeake Grain Elevator 76°17'25"W. Marine leg and belt conveyor Barge Wharf Receipt of grain and soybeans Shipment of soybeans

Perdue Farms 36°48'06"N., 800 39 10 Grain elevator (6.8 million bushels) Perdue Farms, Inc. Chesapeake Elevator 76°17'20"W. Covered storage (18,000 tons) Ship Wharf Shipment of grain and soybean meal

Allied Terminals 36°47'45"N., 650 31 10 Tank storage (54 million gallons) Allied Terminals, Inc. Chesapeake Marine 76°17'32"W. Receipt and shipment of gasoline, kerosine, liquid fertil- Terminal Wharf izer and edible oils

Southern Aggregates 36°47'26"N., 300 15-35 7 Open storage area shared Shipment of pumice Southern Aggregates, Money Point Barge Dock 76°17'46"W. with adjoining ship dock LLC

Southern Aggregates 36°47'29"N., 954 16-35 12 Open storage (150,000 tons) Southern Aggregates, Money Point Plant Pier 76°17'49"W. Covered storage (20,000 tons) LLC One 65-ton gantry crane Electric belt-conveyor system Receipt of pumice, ulexite and gypsum by vessel and sand/gravel by barge

ExxonMobil 36°47'21"N., 300 28 8 Tank storage (363,000 barrels) Shotmeyer Oil Co./ Chesapeake Terminal Wharf 76°18'06"W. Receipt of gasoline by barge ExxonMobile Refining and Supply Co.

Amerada Hess Corporation 36°47'14"N., 300 18 12 Tank storage (476,000 barrels) Amerada Hess Corp. Money Point Barge Wharf 76°18'09"W. Receipt and shipment of petroleum products

Amerada Hess Corporation 36°47'05"N., 700 35 13.5 Tank storage (540,100 barrels) Amerada Hess Corp. Money Point Tanker Wharf 76°18'10"W. Receipt and shipment of petroleum products

Lafarge North America 36°46'42"N., 650 25-35 10.5 Silo storage (30,000 tons of cement) Lafarge North America Cement Company 76°18'22"W. Receipt of bulk cement Cement Company Chesapeake Terminal Wharf

Elizabeth River Terminals 36°46'41"N., 1,425 12-35 8.5 Covered storage (156,000 tons) Elizabeth River Pier 1 Wharf 76°18'08"W. One 50-ton gantry crane Terminals, LLC Electric belt-conveyor systems Receipt of fertilizers, ores, minerals, scrap metal, feeds and grains

Elizabeth River Terminals 36°46'42"N., 750 35 11 Covered storage (40,000 tons and 63,000 square feet) Elizabeth River Pier 2 Wharf 76°17'56"W. Open storage (8 acres) Terminals, LLC Two crawler cranes to 250 tons Receipt of fertilizers, ores, minerals, scrap metal, feeds and grains

Southern States 36°46'35"N., 500 37 10 Silo storage (20,000 tons) Southern States Cooperative Chesapeake 76°17'41"W. One 100-ton receiving hopper Cooperative, Inc. Wharf Electric belt-conveyor Receipt of potash by vessel

Tri-Port Terminals Wharf 36°46'20"N., 650 32 8 Tank storage: 10.9 million gallons (chemicals) and 8.3 Tri-Port Terminals, Inc. 76°17'42"W. million gallons (fertilizer) Reciept of nitrogenous liquid fertilizer and miscellaneous bulk liquid commodities SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 273 26

biggest 24-hour snowfall occurred when 13.6 inches point, a marked natural channel leads for about 2.4 miles (345.4 mm) fell in February 1989. to where the river divides into two forks. The dredged (154) Fourteen hurricanes have come within 50 miles (80.5 channel turns sharply at the light off Lawless Point, a km) of Norfolk since records have been kept going back mile above the entrance, and vessels must be on the alert to 1878. In contrast, many more hurricanes have passed to avoid grounding. A yacht club is just below the north just south of Norfolk with Cape Hatteras, NC recording end of the Hampton Boulevard Bridge. fifty-four hurricanes tracking within 50 miles since 1878. (162) Tropical systems do frequent the Norfolk area though and Structures across Lafayette River since 1950, thirty-two tropical systems (tropical storms Clearances (feet) and hurricanes combined) have passed within 50 miles of Name Type Location Horizontal Vertical* Norfolk. Most storms approach from the southeast, south Hampton Boulevard fixed 36°54'22"N., 50 24 and southwest. The area's strongest storms, including 76°18'18"W. the record hurricane of 1933 and Hurricane Isabel both Granby Street fixed 36°53'20"N., 40 22 approached Norfolk from the southeast. 76°16'49"W. Willow Wood Drive fixed 36°53'21"N., 60 18 (155) Sewells Point (36°57.8'N., 76°19.6'W.), on the east 76°16'36"W. side of the entrance to Elizabeth River, is 18 miles from E 26th Street fixed 36°52'25"N., 27 9 the Virginia Capes. A breakwater, marked by a light on 76°16'22"W. its outer end, extends about 0.3 mile westward from the Tidewater Drive fixed 36°52'07"N., 23 4 point. The piers of the Norfolk Naval Base and its annex 76°16'06"W. extend southward from the breakwater along the east * Clearances are referenced to Mean High Water bank of the river. General depths at the naval piers are 30 to 50 feet. (163) Knitting Mill Creek is on the south side of Lafayette River about 3 miles above the mouth. A dredged channel, (156) Sewells Point Spit, covered 3 to 6 feet, extends north-northeastward from the point for 1.4 miles to the marked by daybeacons, leads to a basin near the head of outer end of Willoughby Channel. A channel, marked by the creek. Gasoline, berths, repairs and some supplies are lights and daybeacons, extends eastward and southward available within the creek. The largest marine railway is through Sewells Point Spit for about 1.2 miles to an 40 feet and a lift to 10 tons is available. enclosed boat basin used by small navy boats. (164) East Haven, on the south side of Lafayette River about 3.5 miles above the mouth, has a dredged channel (157) The approach to the naval piers is a restricted area. (See 33 CFR 334.300, chapter 2, for limits and that leads to a settling basin and boat ramp. regulations.) (165)

(158) ENC - US5VA17M Wharves Chart - 12253 (159) Norfolk Harbor has numerous wharves and piers of all types, the majority of which are privately owned and (166) Craney Island, now a part of the mainland, is on the operated. Only the major deepwater facilities are listed west side of Elizabeth River 4.5 miles south of Sewells in the table. These facilities are southward of Sewells Point. The low and thinly wooded area is the site of a Point, between the Norfolk Naval Base and Tanner Point; navy fuel depot, and the offshore wharf and piers, all on on Lamberts Point; on Pinner Point; and on Eastern the eastern side, are used only by Government vessels. Branch and Southern Branch of Elizabeth River. All have Two daybeacons close off the northeast end of Craney freshwater connections and access to highways and Island mark submerged rocks. The offshore wharf and railroads, and most have electrical shore-power piers have depths of 22 to 47 feet alongside. A submerged connections. Cargo is generally handled by ship’s tackle; water main crosses from Craney Island to the north side special cargo-handling equipment, if available, is of Lamberts Point; vessels are cautioned not to anchor in mentioned in the description of the particular facility. The the vicinity of the lighted range that marks the crossing. alongside depths given for each facility described are Portsmouth Coast Guard Station is on the west side of reported depths. (For information on the latest depths, the entrance to Craney Island Creek. contact the operator.) (167) A naval restricted area is along the south sides of (161) Lafayette River empties into the east side of Craney Island. (See 33 CFR 334.293, chapter 2, for limits Elizabeth River 4 miles south of Sewells Point and 22 and regulations.) miles from the Virginia Capes. The river, used exclusively (168) Lamberts Point, on the east side of Elizabeth River by pleasure and recreational craft, is entered by a marked 5.3 miles south of Sewells Point, is the site of several dredged channel between Tanner Point and Lamberts deepwater piers. These facilities are listed in the table Point, 1.5 miles to the southward. A light, 0.6 mile south Facilities in Norfolk Harbor, earlier in this chapter. of Tanner Point, marks the channel entrance. The dredged (169) Western Branch (36°52.0'N., 76°19.7'W.) empties channel leads for 1.1 miles to a point about 0.3 mile into the southwest side of Elizabeth River 5.8 miles south westward of the Hampton Boulevard Bridge. From this of Sewells Point and 23.8 miles from the capes. A marked SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 274 26

Facilities in Norfolk

Dimensions (feet) Owned/ Name Location Space Depth* Deck Storage, Handling and Purpose Operated by: Nova Chemicals 36°45'18"N., 330 22 10 Tank storage (5 million gallons) Nova Chemicals, Inc. Chesapeake Wharf 76°17'35"W. Receipt of styrene monomer by barge

Dominion Generation 36°46'11"N., 800 36 10 Tank storage (45,000 barrels) Dominion Virginia Chesapeake Energy Center 76°17'55"W. Receipt of fuel oil for plant consumption Power/Dominion Energy Wharf

IMTT Chesapeake 36°46'36"N., 650 34 12 Tank storage (810,500 barrels) IMTT-Chesapeake Terminal Wharf 76°18'23"W. Receipt of petroleum products and liquid fertilizer

Atlantic Energy Wharf 36°46'43"N., 800 35 10 Tank storage (480,000 barrels) Atlantic Energy, Inc./ 76°18'39"W. Receipt and shipment of liquified propane and butane Amerigas Propane, Inc.

Giant Cement of Virginia 36°47'55"N., 750 38 15 Silo storage (65,000 tons) Giant Cement of Paradise Point Pier 76°17'38"W. One unloading tower Virginia/ Receiving hopper and electric belt-conveyor Paradise Point Marine, Receipt of bulk cement Inc.

* The depths given above are reported. For information on the latest depths contact the port authorities or the private operators.

channel leads from the main channel in Elizabeth River launching ramp, a 40-foot marine railway and a 30-ton for 4.5 miles upstream to the head of the project about lift are available; hull, engine and electrical repairs can 0.25 mile above the first bridge. A 540-foot pier about 1 be made. mile above the entrance to Western Branch extends to (174) Hospital Point, on the southwest side of Elizabeth the northern edge of the marked channel; mariners are River 7.5 miles from Sewells Point, is the site of a U.S. advised to use caution in the area. Naval Hospital. The main hospital building, the largest (170) structure along the southwest side of Elizabeth River, is Structures across Western Branch visible for many miles. The hospital landing has depths Clearances (feet) of about 18 feet at the face. A general anchorage is off

Name Type Location Horizontal Vertical* Hospital Point, extending north and south. (See 33 CFR

Route 164 fixed 36°51'26"N., 100 45 110.1 and 110.168, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.) 76°20'51"W. (175) Norfolk, or parts of it, has been described at Churchland bridges fixed 36°50'33"N., 100 38 some length in the preceding text. The midpoint of (under constr 2020) 76°21'44"W. the downtown section can be taken as the City Wharf Overhead cable power 36°50'30"N., 45 76°21'44"W. (36°50.9'N., 76°17.8'W.) at the foot of West Main Street

Overhead cable power 36°49'59"N., 47 and near the moored USS Wisconsin, which is on the 76°23'20"W. northwest side of Elizabeth River 7.7 miles from Sewells Hodges Ferry bridge fixed 36°49'24"N., 60 18 Point and 25.7 miles from the Virginia Capes. City Wharf 76°23'54"W. has depths of 15 feet at the face. The wharves northwest Overhead cable power 36°49'23"N., 37 76°23'54"W. and southwest of West Main Street have depths of 14 to

* Clearances are referenced to Mean High Water 20 feet alongside. (176) Smith Creek, opposite Hospital Point 7.5 miles

(171) West Norfolk, on the north side of the entrance to from Sewells Point, has entrance depths of about 3 feet Western Branch, has a shipyard and small-craft facilities with deeper water inside, but the entrance is restricted by that can provide fuel, transient berths, marine supplies a 48-foot-wide fixed highway bridge with a clearance of and a 220-foot marine railway; repairs can be made. 13 feet. An anchorage for recreational craft is in Smith (172) Pinner Point (36°51.3'N., 76°19.1'W.) is on the Creek. (See 33 CFR 110.1 and 110.168, chapter 2, for southwest side of Elizabeth River, 6.8 miles from Sewells limits and regulations.) Point. Much of the point is occupied by Portsmouth (177) The Atlantic Marine Operations Center, Marine Terminals. A marked dredged channel leads from the Atlantic shipbase of the National Oceanic and the main channel in Elizabeth River to the wharves along Atmospheric Administration, is on the east side of the the north side of the point. The facilities here are listed in entrance to Smith Creek. There are 243-, 251- and 312- the table Facilities at Norfolk, earlier in this chapter. foot berths along the bulkhead wharf, which has depths (173) Scott Creek (36°51.1'N., 76°18.5'W.), on the of 20 feet alongside. southwest side of Elizabeth River, 7.3 miles from (178) Mariners transiting the area near Town Point Reach Sewells Point, is entered through a channel marked by are advised that the City of Norfolk has established daybeacons. A marina with a 60-ton lift is on the south a“Slow no-wake” zone from Scott Creek to the entrance side of the creek about 0.4 mile above channel entrance. to Eastern Branch. A marina is on the point on the south side of the creek, (179) Waterside is in the downtown area of Town Point, about 0.9 mile above the channel entrance, and had a on Norfolk, the north side of the intersection between reported depth of 4 feet in the approach and alongside Elizabeth River and Eastern Branch. A municipal marina the piers. Transient berths, electricity, water, ice, towing, at this popular tourist stop has reported depths of about SEP 2021 U.S. Coast Pilot 3, Chapter 9 ¢ 275 26

16 feet at the entrance, inside the marina, and alongside at or near project dimensions and is well marked. For the berths. Transient berths are available year-round. A detailed channel information and minimum depths as sewage pump-out station is at the marina. Electricity is reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), at the berths; ice and provisions are available nearby. The use NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts. Surveys and marina staff monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 68. channel condition reports are available through a USACE (180) A local passenger ferry operates between the hydrographic survey website listed in Appendix A. Portsmouth and Norfolk waterfronts in the vicinity of (188) A speed limit of 6 knots is prescribed for that part Town Point Reach. The ferry boats are distinguished by of Southern Branch between Eastern Branch and the first a high-intensity flashing green masthead light which is bridge. visible all around the horizon. Mariners are advised to (189) use caution while transiting the area. Structures across Southern Branch (181) Eastern Branch (36°50.5'N., 76°17.6'W.) empties Clearances (feet)

into the east side of Elizabeth River 8 miles from Sewells Name Type Location Horizontal Vertical*

Point and 26 miles from the Virginia Capes. Norfolk and vertical lift 300 6 (down) 36°48'41"N., Portsmouth Beltline 142 (up) (182) A Federal project provides for a channel 25 feet 76°17'26"W. bridge Note 1 deep to the Norfolk Southern Railway Bridge, 2.5 miles Jordan/Route 337 fixed 36°48'30"N., 270 145 above the entrance. Above the Norfolk Southern Railway bridge 76°17'24"W.

Bridge, the natural channel has depths of 10 to 18 feet Norfolk Southern vertical lift 220 10 (down) 36°47'48"N., Railway bridge 135 (up) to the forks 3.3 miles from the entrance and usually is 76°17'36"W. Note 1 marked by bush stakes. Glimerton/Route 13 36°46'31"N., 124 36 (down) (183) Downtown Norfolk is on the north side of Eastern bridge Note 2 76°17'42"W. 136 (up)

Branch, and Berkley, a subdivision, is on the south side. Norfolk Southern bascule 36°46'30"N., 125 7 Traffic is fairly heavy as far as Campostella Bridge. Railway bridge 76°17'42"W. Notes 1 and 2 Depths at most of the piers on both sides of the branch * Clearances are referenced to Mean High Water range from 14 to 25 feet. Note 1 – See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.997, chapter 2, for drawbridge regulations. (184) Note 2 – Large vessels must exercise caution when making the turns to these bridges because of the current. Structures across Eastern Branch Clearances (feet) (190) The facilities on the east side of Southern Branch Name Type Location Horizontal Vertical* are mostly shipyards, oil terminals and bulk-cargo piers, Norfolk-Berkley bridge bascule 36°50'28"N., 150 48 Note 1 76°17'11"W. while Government installations front most of the west

Norfolk Southern bascule 36°50'21"N., 140 4 side. Railway bridge Note 1 76°16'31"W. (191) The port facilities on the Berkley side of Southern Overhead cable power 36°50'21"N., 150 Branch are listed in the table Facilities in Norfolk given 76°16'23"W. earlier in this chapter. Campostella Highway fixed 36°50'25"N., 140 65 bridge 76°15'55"W. (192) The shipyard at Berkley has six piers that can Norfolk Southern swing 36°50'10"N., 60 6 accommodate vessels up to 1,200 feet. The largest Railway bridge Note 1 76°14'40"W. floating drydock at the yard is 850 feet long over the keel * Clearances are referenced to Mean High Water blocks, 192 feet wide, 36 feet deep over the keel blocks Note 1 – See 33 CFR 117.1 through 117.59 and 117.1007, chapter 2. and has a lifting capacity of 54,250 tons. A marine railway with a capacity of 1,000 tons is available at the shipyard; (185) There are several shipyards along Eastern Branch: the largest floating drydock has a 3,200-ton capacity and cranes up to 67 tons are also available. The largest shaft handles vessels up to 316 feet; the largest marine railway the shipyard is able to produce is 100 feet by 30 inches. has a 5,500-ton capacity and can handle vessels to 380 (193) The is on the Portsmouth feet. side of Southern Branch, 3.5 miles from Lamberts Point, and occupies about 2 miles of waterfront. There are naval (186) Southern Branch, the continuation of Elizabeth River south of the junction with Eastern Branch, is a restricted areas along this reach. (See 33 CFR 334.1 part of the Intracoastal Waterway route southward to through 334.6 and 334.290, chapter 2, for limits and Albemarle Sound. The waterway is described at length regulations.) in United States Coast Pilot 4, Atlantic Coast, Cape (194) Most of the oil terminals are at Chesapeake, on the Henry to Key West. east side of Southern Branch, 10 miles from Sewells Point and 28 miles from the Capes. These facilities, as well as (187) The Federal project for Southern Branch provides for a channel 45 feet deep to the third bridge, thence 35 the deep-draft bulk cargo, grain, chemical, and fertilizer feet deep to the seventh bridge. The channel is maintained piers and wharves, were described earlier in this chapter under Wharves, Norfolk Harbor.